Effects of frost action on soil physical properties of plough pan

Undisturbed soil cores of loamy clay plough pan were subjected to the treatments of freezing and thawing in laboratory. The effects of frost action on its bulk density, porosity, and hydraulic conductivity were investigated. The results indicate that freezing and thawing significantly reduced the bulk density of plough pan and increased its porosity and hydraulic conductivity. The reduction in the bulk density was closely related to the average daily soil minimum temperature and soil water content.